Study on recession's effect on nursing shortage
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The frustrating thing is that it seems to me that the hospitals are just not hiring enough nurses; I think the nursing shortage is still there. This is purely anecdotal, but my son was hospitalized 3... Read More

Jul 2, '09

I too am thinking about and just interviewed for a clinic position-after 30 yr hospital bedside but inspite of all I am finding it extremely difficult to transition into that . bedside is all I know and really love it but I can't put up with this crap any more. it really frightens me of where this is all going. I remember the days when we med/surg nurses were still able to gracefully juggle our assignments- time management and priorty setting that was the THRILL of med/surg. I did try ICU- not for me, I couldn't stay in one spot or focused on 1 patient that long. it's such a shame for the new grads no positions for them when they are desperately needed, and they won't have us old nurses there to mentor them and teach them the ropes

Jul 3, '09

You can't predict the future. A lot can change in a year; this last year is a perfect example. I've been doing this for a while & the job market will tighten for a time and then it will cycle back. It has happened many times before (without a recession). It is always frightening when it does tighten. However, one of my nursing instructors told me something I have never forgotten. She said, "you can always find a job as a nurse...it may not be the job that YOU WANT, but you can always find work", and I have definately found that to be the case. If this is what you want to do, then go and get your RN, don't stop with the LPN. Two things make you more marketable; experience & education. If the market is tight when you get out, you may have to take a less desirable nursing job for a period of time, but you can always move up or go to another job when things improve.